Light blue flat glass

ABSTRACT

A light blue flat glass which is soda-lime-silica glass and which contains Nd in such an amount that the content based on Nd 2 O 3  represented by mass percentage, is from 0.001 to 0.1%, and no Co or Co in such an amount that the content based on CoO as represented by mass percentage, is less than 0.1 ppm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a light blue flat glass having a high visible light transmittance.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Background

[0004] At lobby openings, etc. of hotels, museums, art galleries, office buildings, etc., a glass screen having a large area with a width of from 2 to 3 m and a height of at least 3 m is used in many cases for such reasons as to see outside scenery, to emphasize visual continuity to outside, to present an open atmosphere, etc.

[0005] In a suspension system for such a glass screen having a large area, glass stands (hereinafter referred to as glass ribs) are used. The glass ribs are disposed vertically to the glass screen, and thus, an end face of the glass rib is exposed inside of the room (or inside of the building) or outside of the room (or outside of the building).

[0006] Heretofore, for such a glass screen having a large area, a flat glass has been used which tends to have green color or a yellowish green color as the thickness increases, and the end face of the glass rib also used to exhibit such a color.

[0007] For the purpose of solving such a problem of coloration of the end face of a flat glass, a soda-lime-silica glass having CoO incorporated in an amount of from 0.1 to 1 ppm, has been proposed (JP-A-2000-143283).

[0008] If it is attempted to industrially produce a soda-lime-silica glass plate containing from 0.1 to 1 ppm of CoO in a large quantity, the following problem is likely to result. Namely, industrial production of a soda-lime-silica glass plate is usually carried out in a scale of a few hundreds tons/day, but it is not easy to uniformly mix and disperse a very small amount of a CoO material in the glass material so that the content will be at most 1 ppm.

[0009] Accordingly, in the industrial production, fluctuation of the CoO content in the glass tends to be substantial, whereby the above-mentioned problem of coloration may not sufficiently be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a light blue flat glass which is capable of solving such a problem.

[0011] The present invention provides a light blue flat glass which is soda-lime-silica glass and which contains Nd in such an amount that the content based on Nd₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is from 0.001 to 0.1%, and no Co or Co in such an amount that the content based on CoO as represented by mass percentage, is less than 0.1 ppm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The light blue flat glass of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the flat glass of the present invention) is produced, for example, by preparing and mixing raw materials, charging the mixture into a glass melting furnace at a high temperature, melting it, forming the obtained molten glass into a plate by a well known float process, followed by cooling.

[0013] The thickness of the flat glass of the present invention is typically at least 5 mm. In a case where it is used for e.g. a glass rib, the typical thickness is from 12 to 19 mm. Further, in a case where it is produced by a float process, the thickness is, for example, at most 25 mm.

[0014] The dominant wavelength λ_(d) of the flat glass of the present invention as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm, is preferably at most 510 nm. If it exceeds 510 nm, the glass tends to be green, or the yellowish tint tends to be intensified. Further, λ_(d) is typically at least 485 nm. Here, λ_(d) is measured by using standard light source C.

[0015] The visible light transmittance T_(v) of the flat glass of the present invention as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm, is preferably at least 55%. If it is less than 55%, the visibility, for example, in a case where the thickness is at least 12 mm, is likely to deteriorate. More preferably, it is at least 80%. Here, T_(v) is measured by using standard light source C.

[0016] The excitation purity P_(e) of the flat glass of the present invention as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm, is preferably at most 8%. If it exceeds 8%, the color density of the glass may look too much. It is more preferably at most 5%. Further, P_(e) is typically at least 0.1%. Here, P_(e) is measured by using standard light source C.

[0017] The flat glass of the present invention preferably has λ_(d) of at most 510 nm, T_(v) of at least 55% and P_(e) of at most 8%, as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm.

[0018] As an embodiment wherein T_(v) is large, one having λ_(d) of from 485 to 497 nm, T_(v) of at least 80% and P_(e) of at most 5% may be mentioned (Embodiment A).

[0019] As an embodiment wherein T_(v) is larger, one having λ_(d) of from 490 to 510 nm, T_(v) of at least 85% and P_(e) of at most 0.6% may be mentioned (Embodiment B).

[0020] Now, the composition of the flat glass of the present invention will be described as represented by mass percentage or mass ppm. Further, for example, the content based on Nd₂O₃ may be referred to as the Nd₂O₃ content or simply as Nd₂O₃, and “containing Nd₂O₃” may be used for the meaning of “containing Nd”, and Nd₂O₃ may be used for the meaning of Nd.

[0021] Nd₂O₃ is a component to give the light blue color and is essential. If it is less than 0.001%, the light blue color can not be obtained. Preferably, it is at least 0.003%. If it exceeds 0.1%, the color tends to be too deep. Preferably, it is at most 0.08%.

[0022] No Co should be contained, or if Co is contained, the CoO content should be less than 0.1 ppm. Here, “less than 0.1 ppm” is meant for a content to such an extent as contained as an impurity in the raw material. If it is contained in an amount of 0.1 ppm or more, the color is likely to be too deep.

[0023] In the above Embodiment A or the like, it is preferred that Fe is contained in such an amount that the Fe₂O₃ content is more than 0.02% and at most 0.1%, and the Nd₂O₃ content is from 0.01 to 0.08%.

[0024] In the above Embodiment B or the like, it is preferred that no Fe is contained, or even if Fe is contained, the Fe₂O₃ content is at most 0.02%, and the Nd₂O₃ content is from 0.001 to 0.02%.

[0025] In a case where Fe is contained, the Fe₂O₃ content is preferably at most 0.4%. If it exceeds 0.4%, T_(v) tends to be too small. More preferably, it is at most 0.3%, particularly preferably at most 0.15%.

[0026] Further, Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺) is typically at most 0.4, more typically at most 0.28.

[0027] The flat glass of the present invention is soda-lime-silica glass, which typically comprises from 65 to 75% of SiO₂, from 0 to 5% of Al₂O₃, from 10 to 16% of Na₂O, from 0 to 5% of K₂O, from 5 to 15% of CaO, from 0 to 7% of MgO and from 0 to 3% of SO₃. Here, for example, “contains from 0 to 5% of Al₂O₃” means that no Al₂O₃ is contained or if Al₂O₃ is contained, its content is at most 5%.

[0028] The flat glass of the present invention essentially comprises the above-mentioned components, but other components may be contained within a range not to impair the purpose of the present invention. Here, the total content of such other components is preferably at most 10%, more preferably at most 5%.

[0029] Now, such other components will be described.

[0030] SrO, BaO, ZnO, ZrO₂ or the like may be contained within a range of, for example, at most 1% each, for the purpose of adjusting the mechanical properties or thermal properties of the glass or as an impurity.

[0031] Sb₂O₃, F, Cl or the like may be contained within a range of, for example, at most 0.5% each as a refining agent or as an impurity.

[0032] SnO₂ may be contained within a range of, for example, at most 0.5% for the purpose of adjusting the reduction degree of glass or as an impurity.

[0033] With respect to the coloring components, it is preferred that no component other than the above-mentioned two types of Nd₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, is contained. However, for example, with respect to the above Embodiments A and B, the upper limits of the contents allowable as impurities, are as follows. Those not bracketed are examples of the upper limits in the Embodiment A, and those in the brackets are examples of the upper limits in the Embodiment B.

[0034] TiO₂:0.2% (0.1%), V₂O₅:0.02% (0.001%), Cr₂O₃:0.005% (0.001%), MnO₂:0.01% (0.001%), NiO:0.005% (0.001%), CuO:0.01% (0.001%), Se:0.0003% (0.0001%), Er₂O₃:0.01% (0.001%), and rare earth metal oxides other than two types of Nd₂O₃ and Er₂O₃:0.1% (0.1%).

[0035] Now, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. However, it should be understood that the present invention is by no means restricted by such specific Examples.

EXAMPLES 1 to 11

[0036] Raw materials were prepared, mixed and melted to obtain a glass having the composition shown by mass percentage in lines for from SiO₂ to TiO₂ in each Table, followed by forming into a plate shape to obtain a flat glass. In each of Examples 1 to 5, melting was carried out in a platinum crucible, and the molten glass was cast on a carbon plate, followed by annealing to obtain a flat glass. In each of Examples 6 and 9 to 11, melting was carried out in a glass melting furnace, followed by forming by a float process and by cooling, to obtain a flat glass. Further, with respect to the glass of the composition in Example 7 or 8, no flat glass was prepared, but the after-mentioned optical characteristics were obtained by calculation.

[0037] Further, R in each Table represents Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺)

[0038] Examples 1 to 8 are Working Examples of the present invention, and Examples 9 to 11 are Comparative Examples.

[0039] With respect to flat glasses of Examples 1 to 11, the optical characteristics were obtained. The results are shown in the Tables.

[0040] T_(v) (unit: %) represents the above-mentioned visual light transmittance; x and y represent the chromaticity coordinates in the XYZ color system; λ_(d) (unit: nm) represents the above-mentioned dominant wavelength; and P_(e) (unit: %) represents the above-mentioned excitation purity, as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm. TABLE 1 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 SiO₂ 71.6 71.6 71.8 71.9 71.9 71.8 Al₂O₃ 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 CaO 8.4 8.4 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.3 MgO 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 Na₂O 13.8 13.8 13.2 12.6 12.6 13.5 K₂O 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.6 0.6 0.06 SO₃ 0.25 0.25 0.20 0.21 0.21 0.27 Fe₂O₃ 0.012 0.020 0.055 0.080 0.100 0.017 Nd₂O₃ 0.0015 0.0120 0.0280 0.0120 0.0600 0.0065 CoO 0 0 0 0 0 0 TiO₂ 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.01 R 0.20 0.21 0.25 0.25 0.26 0.21 T_(v) 90.80 89.80 85.57 86.50 83.39 89.2 x 0.3095 0.3087 0.3054 0.3064 0.3031 0.3092 y 0.3169 0.3164 0.3162 0.3175 0.3144 0.3170 λ_(d) 506.8 492.5 490.8 495.2 487.9 501.5 p_(e) 0.18 0.49 1.75 1.28 2.76 0.31

[0041] TABLE 2 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11 SiO₂ 71.6 71.6 72.9 72.1 72.1 Al₂O₃ 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 CaO 8.4 8.5 7.4 8.1 8.1 MgO 4.2 4.3 4.5 3.9 3.8 Na₂O 13.8 12.6 13.2 13.0 13.1 K₂O 0.05 0.6 0.06 0.91 0.60 SO₃ 0.25 0.21 0.17 0.20 0.18 Fe₂O₃ 0.012 0.370 0.012 0.071 0.370 Nd₂O₃ 0.0063 0.0212 0 0 0 CoO 0 0 0 0.0001 0.0020 TiO₂ 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 R 0.20 0.28 0.19 0.24 0.28 T_(v) 90.50 62.36 90.86 86.72 59.86 x 0.3093 0.2891 0.3097 0.3070 0.2857 y 0.3167 0.3145 0.3172 0.3186 0.3133 λ_(d) 497.8 490.0 524.0 500.8 489.5 p_(e) 0.28 7.93 0.18 1.01 9.30

[0042] According to the present invention, the desired light blue flat glass can be obtained without controlling the content of a coloring component within an extremely small range of from 0.1 to 1 ppm. Namely, the Nd₂O₃ content is within a range of from 0.001 to 0.1% (from 10 to 1,000 ppm), which is a range sufficiently controllable in an industrial production, whereby industrial production of the desired light blue flat glass can easily be carried out.

[0043] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-258889 filed on Sep. 4, 2002 including specification, claims and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A light blue flat glass which is soda-lime-silica glass and which contains Nd in such an amount that the content based on Nd₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is from 0.001 to 0.1%, and no Co or Co in such an amount that the content based on CoO as represented by mass percentage, is less than 0.1 ppm.
 2. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, which contains no Fe or Fe in such an amount that the content based on Fe₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is at most 0.02%, wherein the content based on Nd₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is from 0.001 to 0.02%.
 3. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, which contains Fe in such an amount that the content based on Fe₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is more than 0.02% and at most 0.1%, wherein the content based on Nd₂O₃ represented by mass percentage, is from 0.01 to 0.08%.
 4. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, which contains Fe, wherein Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺) is at most 0.4.
 5. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, wherein the soda-lime-silica glass comprises, as represented by mass percentage based on the following oxides, from 65 to 75% of SiO₂, from 0 to 5% of Al₂O₃, from 10 to 16% of Na₂O, from 0 to 5% of K₂O, from 5 to 15% of CaO and from 0 to 7% of MgO.
 6. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, which has a dominant wavelength of at most 510 nm, a visible light transmittance of at least 55% and an excitation purity of at most 8%, as calculated in a thickness of 12 mm.
 7. The light blue flat glass according to claim 1, which has a thickness of at least 5 mm. 